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Sharks in the BVI #137996
08/15/2017 04:41 PM
08/15/2017 04:41 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 151
S
Sunflower Offline OP
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Sunflower  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 151
We were sailing the BVI in May. My husband spotted a shark right by the boat while snorkelling at Cooper Island. Is this common. I may be ready to hang up my flippers now. Any body have any experiences like this while snorkelling??

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Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Sunflower] #137997
08/15/2017 04:46 PM
08/15/2017 04:46 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
HillsideView Offline
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HillsideView  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
Uh, it IS the ocean. Yes, they DO live there. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />


My foot fits right into my shoe and my shoe will fit right into your...
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: HillsideView] #137998
08/15/2017 04:52 PM
08/15/2017 04:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
What kind of shark? All I've seen while snorkeling from the boat has been Nurse sharks.


Matt
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: maytrix] #137999
08/15/2017 04:59 PM
08/15/2017 04:59 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 277
trueblue Offline
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trueblue  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 277
In 22 years I have seen sharks at Monkey Point, and in the Bight. Have never been bothered, but then again didn't stay in water long after seeing them.
In all that time I am not sure I have ever heard reports of close encounters with sharks. Frankly I am more worried about barracuda than sharks.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: trueblue] #138000
08/15/2017 05:56 PM
08/15/2017 05:56 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 141
West Virgina
jrw Offline
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jrw  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 141
West Virgina
It may have been a shark. Other than Nurse I've seen two. What looked to be a Lemon shark while diving The Chimney at George Dog around 1996 and a Reef shark while diving Great Dog 08. Both swam away as FAST as they could! I have mistaken Ramora for small sharks. They will swim near boats at Norman and Cooper. Keep your flippers.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: jrw] #138001
08/15/2017 06:16 PM
08/15/2017 06:16 PM
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 296
K
Kryssa Offline
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Kryssa  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 296
Have seen several nurse sharks while diving. They are harmless - more afraid of you than you are of them.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Kryssa] #138002
08/15/2017 06:37 PM
08/15/2017 06:37 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
N
NCSailor Offline
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NCSailor  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
The only sharks I have seen were feeding off the kitchen at the Willy T and they were only a few feet long.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Sunflower] #138003
08/15/2017 06:44 PM
08/15/2017 06:44 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 770
Kansas
captmoby Offline
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captmoby  Offline
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Posts: 770
Kansas
Pictures? My bet is that it was not a shark. When you say by the boat, did you mean up around the boat or on the bottom near the boat? Up by the boat? My bet is that it was a Remora they look a lot like a shark and do hang around boats.


Jim
Sailmoby II
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: captmoby] #138004
08/15/2017 07:06 PM
08/15/2017 07:06 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
kneafseym Offline
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kneafseym  Offline
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Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
Sharks exist in BVI. Seen, Bull, Lemon, Nurse, Black Tip while diving and have seen a Tiger after it was caught. With all that said I have not heard of any shark attacks.

I have also seen Cobia which look like sharks and as Jim says Remora can look like a shark to an amateur.


Mike
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: kneafseym] #138005
08/15/2017 07:10 PM
08/15/2017 07:10 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306
Tustin CA
d_fish Offline
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d_fish  Offline
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Posts: 306
Tustin CA
My guess is remora. We see these fish every sailing trip in the BVIs. They certainly look like sharks.

We have spotted nurse sharks at Monkey Point and Lobolloy.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Sunflower] #138006
08/15/2017 07:26 PM
08/15/2017 07:26 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
B
BEERMAN Offline
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BEERMAN  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
I think we've seen some type of shark almost every trip, even this past trip. Nurse, reef (black tip), lemon. Always smaller ones, except for some large nurse sharks off the cay of Cinnamon Bay. They don't care about you. About 15 years ago we saw my wife's friend on Cinnamon, "they said" they saw a small hammerhead on the backside of Waterlemon Cay, dunno? A large tuna swam by me in the same spot where the big drop off is, that startled me! BUT, they are there and we like seeing them.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: BEERMAN] #138007
08/15/2017 08:15 PM
08/15/2017 08:15 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
For at least a month or two after 'Shark Week' on TV I couldn't get any teenage girls off the boat for snorkeling on my charters.
It was only a few times a year any of my guests ever came back with 'shark sightings', usually a nurse on the bottom, but remoras were commonly under my boat almost daily.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: LocalSailor] #138008
08/15/2017 08:31 PM
08/15/2017 08:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
S
StormJib Offline
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StormJib  Offline
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Posts: 1,049
Many things look like a shark including lemon or cobia. We have been fortunate to travel many places and many things. Diving and snorkeling have been a big part of that. There are many easy targets for the shark in the water. A person with fins is close to seven feet long and blowing bubbles. For the most part sharks run. At dusk maybe the shark cannot see all of you so the risk is greater. Same with someone on the surface paddling a surf board.

If all of that is not enough? How many people do you know that have been bitten by dogs or cats? Do you know anyone bitten by s shark. For me I worry about the dogs are cats I do not know and understand the shark wants nothing to do with creatures that fight back. Shark bites are almost always mistaken identity. That means stay out of murky water at dusk.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: StormJib] #138009
08/15/2017 08:45 PM
08/15/2017 08:45 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 141
West Virgina
jrw Offline
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jrw  Offline
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Posts: 141
West Virgina
Lemon sharks are sharks.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: jrw] #138010
08/15/2017 09:10 PM
08/15/2017 09:10 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
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sail445  Offline
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Posts: 3,003
There are sharks at all the islands the majority are Nurse and Lemons who live and sleep in the shallow waters near the island.
Black tips,Tigers and Hammerheads are around but toward the evening.
And yes there have been some people bit

Last edited by sail445; 08/15/2017 09:11 PM.
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: captmoby] #138011
08/15/2017 09:14 PM
08/15/2017 09:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 151
S
Sunflower Offline OP
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Sunflower  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 151
This shark was a few feet from the boat. My husband was just checking the keel. Possibly 15 to 20 ft. He estimated the shark to be about. 5 ft. I length.
Yes, as to previous poster, I am aware we are in the ocean. We have snorkelled in the BVI several times in the past few years, but have never had the pleasure of a shark encounter. I have now learned a lot about the kind of sharks to watch for. Thanks all!!

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: trueblue] #138012
08/15/2017 09:15 PM
08/15/2017 09:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
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sail2wind  Offline
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Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
Quote
trueblue said:
In 22 years I have seen sharks at Monkey Point, and in the Bight. Have never been bothered, but then again didn't stay in water long after seeing them.
In all that time I am not sure I have ever heard reports of close encounters with sharks. Frankly I am more worried about barracuda than sharks.




As a long time diver, I have never heard of a barracuda attack. I have heard of some shark attacks. Barracuda generally stay to themselves. I agree with everything all my diving friends are mentioning.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: sail2wind] #138013
08/15/2017 10:19 PM
08/15/2017 10:19 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Online content
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MrEZgoin  Online Content
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
At some of the dive sites (Ginger steps?) the reef sharks have become quite bold. Apparently, the spearing of lionfish is attracting them and they have been coming very close on our recent visits, where they used to circle just on the periphery of visibility.


M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Sunflower] #138014
08/16/2017 02:01 AM
08/16/2017 02:01 AM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
S
StormJib Offline
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StormJib  Offline
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S
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
Quote
Sunflower said:
This shark was a few feet from the boat. My husband was just checking the keel. Possibly 15 to 20 ft. He estimated the shark to be about. 5 ft. I length.
Yes, as to previous poster, I am aware we are in the ocean. We have snorkelled in the BVI several times in the past few years, but have never had the pleasure of a shark encounter. I have now learned a lot about the kind of sharks to watch for. Thanks all!!



If the beast appeared to by "five feet" under water through a mask using the norms of human eye measurements in air workout a mask and water? The actual size would be closer to 3 feet. Underwater with a mask everything will appear at least 1/3 larger. More if we are scared. Even a shark of five feet is a pup with a tiny mouth. More likely what was witnessed was a remora or cobia seeking the shade under your hull. That would be a very normal and benign experience:<sub></sub>

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: StormJib] #138015
08/16/2017 06:28 AM
08/16/2017 06:28 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Online content
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GeorgeC1  Online Content
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Most people snorkeling and diving in the BVI don't see sharks that often because they are looking down at the bottom rather than out near the surface. The majority of toothy sharks swim toward you take a look and depart and the snorklers are none the wiser. We see sharks nearly every trip with the majority being black tipped reef sharks. In 30 years I have seen two large tigers if I don't count the whale lunch at the Rhone. One surprisingly was on the wreck of the fearless in the SFD. Start looking out not down and you will see more sharks. Pic from Norman Island.

[img]http://[image]http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee251/sailvi767/IMG_0246_zpsni0yts9h.jpg[/img][/image]
G

Last edited by GeorgeC1; 08/16/2017 06:50 AM.
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: GeorgeC1] #138016
08/16/2017 10:41 AM
08/16/2017 10:41 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 37
D
Donald Offline
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Donald  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 37
I saw a small 3-4 foot shark at Biras Creek moving around very quickly and very close to shore. He/she swam around madly for 15-20 minutes. Entertaining to watch but fast enough that I would not even consider putting my toes in the water! Not sure what type it was and i just Googled a few of the species mentioned above trying to ID the type.

However I've seen a lot more of the two legged variety at Willy T's....both the local and migratory variety. More dangerous, too!

"Just behind the reef are the big white teeth of the sharks that can swim on the land." Sorry....i just couldn't resist quoting Jimmy! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Donald] #138017
08/16/2017 12:49 PM
08/16/2017 12:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 308
Tampa, FL
denverd0n Offline
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denverd0n  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 308
Tampa, FL
As mentioned, it is the ocean. They are there. They are everywhere. You cannot get into the ocean ANYWHERE and be absolutely sure that there are no sharks nearby.

Ignore them and, 99.99% of the time, they will ignore you.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: denverd0n] #138018
08/17/2017 09:57 AM
08/17/2017 09:57 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,318
MD, USA
Dirichlet Offline
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Dirichlet  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,318
MD, USA
Hell, I live 130 miles from the ocean, up the Chesapeake Bay. I have no doubt that there are sharks up my way (most likely Bull sharks). If it's the ocean or attached directly to it, there are sharks... period.
Now, that being said, with all of the scuba diving and snorkeling I've done in the BVI I have only seen a couple of sharks, and with only one exception they were nurse sharks. I'd stay out of the water around Anegada at night, but other than that I don't really think (or worry) about them.


... DIF all the time...
[Linked Image]
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Dirichlet] #138019
08/17/2017 10:32 AM
08/17/2017 10:32 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Online crying
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Manpot  Online Crying
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Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
We have had small baby sharks swimming along the shorebreak in Apple Bay a few times..they are a wonderful sight and way too small to do any harm..

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Manpot] #138020
08/17/2017 01:54 PM
08/17/2017 01:54 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Shark sightings in the bvi unfortunately are very uncommon.

We have seen sharks at the Indians, cane garden Bay, monkey point and vixen point. They have typically been reef sharks and nurse sharks.

We have never seen a shark on a night dive in the BVI.

Just because we so rarely see sharks does not mean that they are not there.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: warren460] #138021
08/17/2017 02:59 PM
08/17/2017 02:59 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
Twanger Offline
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Twanger  Offline
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Posts: 6,100
Maryland
In June/July the nurse sharks mate in Windlass Bight, Anegada.
It's quite the spectacle.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Twanger] #138022
08/17/2017 03:08 PM
08/17/2017 03:08 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
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sail2wind  Offline
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Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
Walt, behave, shark porn? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: sail2wind] #138023
08/17/2017 03:34 PM
08/17/2017 03:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 85
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
AgapeCottages Offline
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AgapeCottages  Offline
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Posts: 85
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola


JasonHelmbrecht
Agape Cottages
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@agapecottages.com
www.agapecottages.com
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: sail2wind] #138024
08/17/2017 03:37 PM
08/17/2017 03:37 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
GlennA Offline
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GlennA  Offline
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Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
Windlass Bight is a shameful exhibition. Most of the bight is only a foot or so deep and those sharks doin' it right there in public! And more than one at a time!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />


Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: GlennA] #138025
08/17/2017 04:08 PM
08/17/2017 04:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
Twanger Offline
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Twanger  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
Bow-chicka-bow-wow!

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Twanger] #138026
08/18/2017 02:52 PM
08/18/2017 02:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 240
Texas
purplelily Offline
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purplelily  Offline
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Texas
I think they were just wrestling.

Re: Sharks in the BVI [Re: Sunflower] #138027
08/19/2017 02:03 PM
08/19/2017 02:03 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 644
MD, USA
polaris Offline
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polaris  Offline
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Posts: 644
MD, USA
One of my crew was snorkeling in Great Lamshur Bay (USVI) wearing something like a black wetsuit. We saw her swatting and pushing something and watched what looked like a shark swimming around her. Presently she calmly swam back to the boat and said it was a remora trying to attach to her <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />


Polaris

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